Ears and Masks: Shanghai Disneyland Will Reopen Next Week

Shanghai Disneyland was among the first of Disney's parks to shut down as the coronavirus pandemic swept Asia in January. Now it will be the first to open its gates again.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced Monday that the park will re-open on May 11 — but capacity will be limited, guests will have to wear masks (except when eating), and lines will be spread out to ensure social distancing. “As the park reopens with significantly enhanced health and safety measures, our guests will find Shanghai Disneyland as magical and memorable as ever," Chapek said in a statement, as The Walt Disney Co. announced its quarterly earnings.

Losses for the company, which relied heavily on events and park attendance, were immense. Diluted earnings per share plummeted 93% from the same quarter last year, down to $0.26 from $3.53 in 2019, the company reported. Disney has also been unable to release big-budgeted films such as Mulan and Black Widow, with theaters closed around the world.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had an appreciable financial impact on a number of our businesses," said Chapek, who recently took over the CEO job from Bob Iger after leading the parks division for five years. "We are confident in our ability to withstand this disruption and emerge from it in a strong position," he added.

The reopening of Shanghai Disneyland is a step toward that. That park, which is only 43% owned by Disney, began testing its ability to open with surrounding attractions like Disneytown, Wishing Star Park, and Shanghai Disneyland Hotel in March.

Guests to Shanghai Disneyland will have to make advanced reservations. Tickets will be sold for selected dates, and pass holders will have to sign up for an appointment rather than just showing up. Chapek said in the earnings call that this would make sure “you don’t have a whole bunch of people showing up at your gates and then finding out we reached our limit by 9 a.m., and then they go back disappointed.”

Density of guests will also be managed by the park, with staff maintaining distance in ride queues, dining lines, and other places where guests might bottleneck.

In addition to mandatory masks for visitors and employees, admittance will be contingent on temperature screenings. Hand sanitizer fluid will also be provided throughout the park at entrances and ride exits, while workers will be repeatedly sterilizing railings and ride handlebars.